Bumper stickers, those things placed on cars to highlight a certain belief, affiliation, or disdain is not as popular as it used to be. Maybe social media has become the new bumper sticker of the world. However, some still make use of this method to convey their thoughts to the masses. One such thought is the ever-popular COEXIST. What it teaches, is that the religions of the world need to put aside differences and embrace each other with respect and love. A sort of “agree to disagree” mindset. Believing in Buddha, Muhammad, or Christ should not stop us from uniting and coexisting, they say. On the surface, this message seems great and without giving it much thought this theory appears to promote peace and harmony. However, after careful consideration, one would have to conclude that this call to unity is a misnomer. The concept of unity is defined as follows.
Absence of diversity; unvaried or uniform character. (Dictionary.com)
A condition of harmony. (Merriam Webster)
The quality of being one in spirit, sentiment, purpose. (Collins English Dictionary)
Unity is a thing undivided itself. (Webster’s 1820 Dictionary)
For true unity to exist there cannot be any diversity of attitude, sentiment, or purpose. Therefore, unity only exists in the absence of diversity. Herein lies this theory’s greatest problem. The believers of this concept desire something that is impossible. It would have been somewhat plausible if they desired a union, which is two differing parts joined together. Nevertheless, unity would still be unattainable. The desire for a religious unity is predicated on flawed assumptions. These individuals have assumed that all religions are equal. Mankind was created equal (Acts 17:26) and so we ought to treat one another with equality. However, this concept does not translate to religion, because not all religions were created equal. Every religion on earth except for true Christianity is the product of human wisdom. These believers proudly admit and tout their human founders. In stark contrast, true Christianity is the product of Divinity. God purposed, planned, and produced Christianity, which is predicated on His Son, Jesus the Christ (Acts 20:28 & Ephesians 5:23). The Bible records Christians as being the masterpiece of God’s doing. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them, Ephesians 2:10. Putting the product of God’s infinite wisdom on par with the inventions of man’s finite wisdom is a gross inaccuracy.
The premise of coexisting is putting aside our differences or being willing to ease one’s beliefs to accommodate another. For many religions this is not a problem; it is their modus operandi to capriciously alter their creeds and doctrines to accommodate culture and the fickle whims of society.
Morne Stephanus
The propagators of this theory also mistakenly assume that Christianity is pliable. The premise of coexisting is putting aside our differences or being willing to ease one’s beliefs to accommodate another. For many religions this is not a problem; it is their modus operandi to capriciously alter their creeds and doctrines to accommodate culture and the fickle whims of society. However, Christianity does not operate in this fashion. The Gospel System of Faith is not subject to change. What God has decreed no man has the authority to undo. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed, Galatians 1:8. How does one alter the inalienable facts that there is one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all (Ephesians 4:4-6)? Any deviation from these truths would render Christianity defunct. Christianity is not pliable, it cannot and should not be altered.
A divided unity is a misnomer. Any unity based on this principle would render the unique nature of Christianity obsolete. It is not hard to see the hand of Satan in this theory. A globalist view of religion is certainly something the Lord’s adversary would favor. When Christianity is dismantled and put on par with manmade religions, Satan is the only one who profits. The devil knows very well that nothing, but the Gospel saves (Romans 1:16-17) no one outside the Church is saved (Acts 2:47) and any allegiance to false religions will keep one from being saved (Colossians 2:18-23). Make no mistake, Christians are desirous of unity, but that unity can only be realized in Christ.